MM PARK MUSEUM, LA WANTZENAU, ALSACE, FRANCE

MM PARK MUSEUM, LA WANTZENAU, ALSACE, FRANCE

This new museum on World War II recently opened, 12 km North of Strasbourg, on March 1 2017, presents a collection of approximately 120 vehicles of the WWII, armored or not, over 7000 m², from France, Germany, America, England, Italy, Canada and Russia. About 400 uniforms for men and women, numerous and impressive, of all the belligerents are showed here. Many weapons and even a boat headliner of the Kriegsmarine, its fortified base built specially in conformity with the original. On request, visitors can discover, behind the scenes, the restoration workshop, where expert hands have restored a life to these colossi. The museum has the ambition to attract a large public, family and amateur of history, mechanics and military vehicles. To attract families are also planned a shooting simulator, a shooting range and even a D-DAY course indoors. A bar-space-game is also provided. One can rent a room for receptions.
The museum also contains a very complete collection of objects and documents from the Sussex Plan, an operation designed by General Eisenhower's staff, the purpose of which was to parachute in 1944 men (American, English, French), 120 in total including 2 women, before D Day, plus 65 for the Proust Plan after D-Day, in the regions North of the Loire to spy Nazi troops before and after the landing. This unique collection was gathered over the years by Dominique Soulier, collector and son of a British intelligence agent.
Owner and founder of the museum, Eric Kauffmann created the largest private collection in Europe. Passionate since the age of 14 by mechanics and history, the restoration of a tank, 3000 to 4000 hours, is for him only a game. "We always make sure to put ourselves back in the context of the time, to find documents, to study technical papers. If ever we do not find a missing piece, we reproduce it identically", he says. This requires knowledge and patience. This museum is a duty to remember. The memory of some past dramatic facts must help to prevent them from recurring.
To bring together all these vehicles, Eric Kauffmann and his collaborators went around the world. Some gears come from Germany, others from Eastern European countries, or from the United States. Two years ago, he bought a dozen vehicles at a museum in Texas that his officials had searched for in Belgium (in Arlon).
The project's budget is integrated to ESI France : http://www.societe.com/societe/e-s-i-france-333784262.html, created in 1985, a company specializing in IT distribution for professionals (approximately 170 people) and the real estate business that Eric Kauffmann, President, manages in the private sector. 30 ESI branches are located throughout France, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Website of the museum : http://www.mmpark.fr/index.php?p=collection
A.S.P.H.M : The Association for the Safeguarding of Historic Military Heritage: http://www.asphm.com/vehicules_usa.html restores the vehicles.

These pictures, royalty free, were taken by J M Maclou at La Wantzenau on March 3 2017.

Building of MM Park Museum

1 - SOFT SKIN VEHICLES

Auto-Union SdKfz 11 3 t Leichter Zugkraftwagen was the prime mover for a number of German artillery pieces and also provided the chassis for the SdKfz 251 armored personnel carrier. There was also a transportation version SdKfz 11 3t Leichter Zugkraftwagen with a cab (picture). SdKfz11 was produced by many companies, including Hanomag, Hansa-Lloyd, Adler, Borgward, Horch and Skoda. Engine was a Maybach HL42 6 cylinder engine 100hp, Mass 7.2 t, payload 1.8 t, 52 km/h.

From L to R : Phänomen radio, Peugeot DMA, Opel Blitz 1 t trucks

Overview

CMP (Canadian Military Pattern) F60S Truck designed in1936-1940 by Great Britain to be produced between 1940 and 1945 to more than 500.000 units by Ford Limited of Canada and Chrysler Canada. These two brands worked very closely, which was unusual, but allowed to increase their production quickly. Used extensively during WWII by many countries and also after the war in many armies and in civilian use as : forestry, firefighting, snow ploughs, construction sites.

Raupenschlepper Ost, Caterpillar Tractor East (D) built by Steyr, Klöckner, Auto Union, Gräf & Stif to about 23.000 units between 1941 and 1945 for use in Russia due to Rasputitsa. Very simple and reliable, RSO 1 had a curved cab until RSO 3 had plates cab. RSO 3 was an anti-aircraft vehicle. 66/85 hp, 30 km/h.

Gaz 67B 4x4 was the USSR Jeep. 92.843 built from 1943 to 1953, mass 1320 kg, 54 hp, 90 km/h. An armored version of GAZ67B existed.

Snow blower (Schneefräse) Dieselelektrische Raupenfräse DER invented in Switzerland by Peter Rocco and built after par German manufacturers. This one, built from 1940 to 1944, was fitted with tracks of French Tank R40 and a Diesel electric transmission. It was used on airports of Luftwaffe of Eastern Front and in ports of Kriegsmarine. Mass 13 t, 20 km/h.

GMC DUKW 353 amphibious truck. Designed by Spakman and Stephens Inc. in 1941 on the base of GMC AFKWX 353 6x6. 21247 units produced from 1942 to 1945. They were used for landings in many countries and served until the 90s. They served for tourism. Mass 6.6 t, capacity 2368 kg, 104 hp, 70 km/h, 10 km/h in water, on the left is a M4 High Speed Tractor

Aircraft Fueller TB P505 Mk V (GB). Built by 'Thompson Brothers (Bilston) Ltd for the RAF from 1935 to 1945 and more.

M4 High Speed Tractor built from 1943 to 1945 by Allis Chalmers of Milwaukie to 5.552 units. Mass 14.2 t, 210 hp, 56 km/h. Tracks and suspensions were the one of the M3 Stuart tank. It was intended to pull the Howitzer M2 of 105 mm and even the Long Tom of 155 mm.

Overview : R to L : BMW R12 Sidecar, Zündapp KS600 Sidecar, Ersatzfeldwagen 40 horse Chariot. Produced from 1940 to 1944 to 15.000 units for 2 or 4 horses. Capacity : 1 t, 85% of German Army during WWII used horses, mostly in Infantry. There were 3 soldiers for 1 horse.

Laffly W 15 T 6x6 reconnaissance car or artillery tractor. About 600 produced from 1938 to 1940, also by Hotchkiss and Citroën. 82 hp, Payload 800 kg, 72 km/h, Suspensions and transmission, Hollos patented, were very sophisticated to allow long travel for good off-road performance. Nevertheless, this mechanic was not always very reliable.

Citroën Traction 11BL (F), about 1939, requisitioned by the Army. Produced to 759.111 units from 1934 to 1957. The innovations were the front wheels which were driven, independent suspensions, hydraulic brakes, excellent road holding. For these reasons, it became the car of Gestapo and Resistance, during WWII, of Ministers and Gangsters after. On later models : Mass 1380 kg, 77 hp, 135 km/h.

Weasel M29C, amphibious. built by Studebaker at South Bend, Indiana to 4476 M29 and 10647 M29c from 1943 to 1945. The M29C was the completely amphibious floating version. After the war, French Army, from 1947 to 1962 used them first in Indochina, under the name 'Crabe' and then in Algeria. Some were used in Polar Expeditions. Total Mass : 2740 kg, 75 hp, 58 km/h, 6 km/h on water.

Pavesi TL31, articulated 4x4. Ugo Pavesi of Motomeccanica designed in 1925 an articulated artillery tractor P4. This TL 31 was lightened and 150 were built from 1931 until 1933. In 1938 about 133 were sent in Spain and at the end of the war, le last were given to Spanih Army where they served until early 50s. It was considered not comfortable at the beginning, rather large, no winch and lack of adhesion. It's a climax for an articulated vehicle, but wheels were narrow. The Pavesi P4 served in Italien Army untill 1945. Empty mass 2950 kg, Payload 500 kg, 33 hp, 35 km/h. http://www.autoaventura4x4.com/adjuntos/fichero_10655_20080204.pdf

UNIC-Kegresse P.107 Artillery Tractor or Leichter Zugkraftwagen U 304(f). This semi-tracked vehicle was used by German Army as armored anti-aircraft Flak 38, after conversion. This Citroën/Unic P 107 was produced from 1937 to 1940 to 3276 units

Overview, on left : M5A1 Stuart tank

T26 tank, model 1939, took part to the battle of Stalingrad. It was discovered in the Neva in 1998.

R to L : Comet and Churchill tanks (GB).

M 24 Chaffee tank (USA), produced to 4.731 units in 1944-1945, 18.37 t, 300 hp, 56 km/h. They were first used during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, but mostly during the Korean War. On left, a Comet tank

Overview

Overview, Kiosk of submarine U-Boot at right.

Overview

LVT4 Landing Vehicle Tracked Amphibious Tank (USA) built by FMC Corporation at 18621 during the war in many version whose some armored called Amtrak. Invented by Donald Roebling in 1935, they were built in Florida and California. He refused to accept direct royalties or commissions from the government, seeing it as his personal duty in support of the war effort. Payload 2 t, mass 18.1 t, 250 hp, 40 km/h in water 11 km/h.